Aisle be back: Devout Catholic Arnold Schwarzenegger is warmly greeted by Pope Francis in Vatican City... and gifts him with a book on his beloved California

By Marc Jackson for MailOnline

Published: 07:48 EST, 25 January 2017 | Updated: 08:21 EST, 25 January 2017

He is used to being the main man when out in public.

But Arnold Schwarzenegger took a back seat as he met a man with even more public pull than him - Pope Francis.

The action movie legend, 69, attended the Catholic leader's weekly sermon in Vatican City on Wednesday.

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Aisle be back: Arnold Schwarzenegger took a back seat as he met a man with even more public pull than him - Pope Francis

Despite hundreds flocking to watch the Pope speak every week, the Terminator star was one of the few who got to meet one of the most in-demand men in the world.

The actor looked humble as he was warmly greeted by Pope Francis, who gladly shook the former California Governor's hand, before introducing him to girlfriend Heather Milligan.

As part of their introduction, Arnold actually introduced him to the delights of the region he once ran, by gifting him with a book all about the sunshine state.

The pontiff looked thrilled with a new addition to his library, and courteously flicked through the pages of the tome in front of the film star.

Humbled: The action movie legend, 69, attended the Catholic leader's weekly sermon in Vatican City on Wednesday

Warm: Despite hundreds flocking to watch the Pope speak every week, the Terminator star was one of the few who got to meet one of the most in-demand men in the world

Love: Arnold then introduced his girlfriend Heather Milligan, who looked rather shy as she waited in line to meet the Pontiff

A gift: As part of their introduction, Arnold actually introduced him to the delights of the region he once ran, by gifting him with a book all about the sunshine state

Good read: The pontiff looked thrilled with a new addition to his library, and courteously flicked through the pages of the tome in front of the film star

Arnold - who was Governor between 2003–2011 - is a devout Catholic and was forced to defend his faith during his time in office - insisting it would not play a part in his politics, especially when it came to science budgets.

He said at the time: 'I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic, but that does not interfere with my decision-making because I know that stem-cell research, the way we are doing it in California ... is the right way to go and will save, very quickly down the line, lives and cure a lot of these illnesses.'

Their meeting comes after the religious leader spoke out to give a brief congratulations to Arnold's predecessor on The Apprentice, America's new President Donald Trump.

After Trump's inauguration in Washington, DC over the weekend, the Pope spoke out to remind the billionaire not to forget about the needs of the poor now he is in power.

'I offer you my cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office,' Francis said.

Meeting to remember: Arnold - who was Governor between 2003–2011 - is a devout Catholic and was forced to defend his faith during his time in office

Important: Their meeting comes after the religious leader spoke out to give a brief congratulations to Arnold's predecessor on The Apprentice, America's new President Donald Trump

Place of worship: Arnold looked smart for his Vatican City visit as he politely waited in line

He went on to express hope the US would be a beacon across the world 'above all by its concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need who, like Lazarus, stand before our door'.

Francis also reminded Trump of the 'humanitarian crisis' affecting parts of the world due to widespread trouble across the Middle East.

Last year, Arnold made it clear that he was a part of growing list of prominent Republicans who would not vote for Trump after he was caught making lewd remarks about women in a 2005 video that leaked in October.

Awe-inspiring: Behind Arnold was one of the traditionally dressed Vatican guards who protect the Pope

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